Mourners welcome to pray virtually at the Motherhouse chapel
This story was updated at 4:30 pm, Monday, April 21, 2025.
Early this morning the United States awoke to the news that Pope Francis died in Rome about 7:30 a.m. at Casa Marta, his residence in Rome.
The Dominican Sisters of Springfield, like so many others, have held Pope Francis in prayer since his illness and hospitalization in February. Today they opened a livestream from Sacred Heart Convent Chapel to allow guests to join them virtually in this beautiful sacred space, should they wish to pray for the repose of the soul of the pope and for the weary world that mourns his death.
The livestream may be accessed at springfielop.org/livestream and will be available until 6 p.m. central time this evening.
"Kind and brilliant shepherd"
“The death of Pope Francis has left a world shattered in grief at the loss of a kind and brilliant shepherd,” wrote Sister M. Paul McCaughey, OP, the congregation’s prioress general. in an email message to the Dominican Sisters this morning.
“What an irony of the Paschal Mystery that he set us on our way for a Jubilee journey this year: together, as Pilgrims of Hope,” she added, referencing the theme of the Jubilee Year. “We can be nothing less in the God that enfolds him in love, even as we mourn.”
She urged the sisters to draw on the richness of Pope Francis writings, which include four encyclicals and numerous other documents and preaching. Perhaps his greatest legacy will be two-fold: His concern for the care of creation and his elevation of the synodal process as a way to transform the church.
His letter addressed to the World about the care of creation, Laudato Si’ On Care for our Common Home, was issued ten years ago this June. In it he linked the needs of Earth with the needs of Earth’s poorest people: “Today, however, we have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” (LS 49)
Pope Francis will also be remembered for elevating a feature of the Second Vatican Council, that is, the institution of bishops’ synods, as a tool of transformation for the Church. The Church is still in the midst of the synodal process Pope Francis opened in the fall of 2021. Once referred to as the largest global consultation process in human history, the synod is bringing together the People of God from around the world to walk together as disciples of Christ and transform local churches.
Walking together: Synodality
Two of the Springfield Dominican Sisters who were members of the congregations’ ad hoc committee for the synodal process offered their reflections on the legacy of Pope Francis.
“Pope Francis embraced the world as Pastor,” said Sister Jean Patrice Schingel, OP, who ministers at Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, Ill. “He included all people and creation at the altar of Hope. His gift of inclusivity for all people and all creation has been a blessing for the Church and the world.”
Sister Barbara Blesse, OP, also on thy synod committee, drew attention to the pope’s care for creation and all within it, calling him “A faithful man of the Gospel” who “Manifested a profound love for God, and an inclusive love for the poor, for all on the margins, for all people…even for Earth herself. As a loving shepherd, he steadfastly encouraged all people to work for justice and peace in our world and upheld a synodal approach to deeper understanding of the other as a basis for better decision-making. May he rest in God’s peace…and may he now intercede for our Church and all nations…he will be missed.” Sister Barbara is pastoral associate at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Carbondale, Ill.
Following Jesus
The Dominican Sisters’ Justice Office director, Sister Marcelline Koch, OP, highlighted the pope’s concern for the world’s poor when she wrote that “His call to be a church for the poor and to welcome immigrants continually reminds us of the life and words of Jesus, which we are called to follow.”
"Palpable joy"
I was privileged to meet Pope Francis on two separate occasions while attending the Leadership Conference of Women Religious’ (LCWR) officers annual visit in Rome. In March 2023, I met him momentarily in St. Peter’s Square following his weekly prayer session attended by thousands of people from around the world. As president of LCWR, I joined the president elect, past president, and executive director as we were introduced to the Holy Father, shook hands, and had pictures taken. Such a brief encounter, yet I experienced a palpable joy as he asked our personal names and those of our congregations. He thanked us for faithfully living our vocations and asked that we keep the Gospel at the forefront of all we do. Huddled together for a snapshot, I deeply felt the presence of Christ not only in this man, but in the community of faith surrounding us. He moved on to greet those standing next to us with the same warmth and genuine interest.
"I recall his saying that followers of Christ need to smile more and not be afraid to laugh with gusto."
On March 23, 2024, Maureen Geary OP, Sue Ernster, FSPA and I, serving in the LCWR trifecta presidency, and Sr. Carol Zinn, SSJ, the LCWR executive director, met with Pope Francis for a 45-minute private audience. Standing as we entered the room, Francis greeted us with an extended hand and a welcoming smile. He asked us to share news about women religious in the United States and continued to affirm our work and presence among God’s people. Francis encouraged us to remain faithful to our call by spreading God’s goodness and love, especially to those living in physical and spiritual poverty. He often spoke of Christ’s love and the need for it to be embodied with earnestness and joy. I recall his saying that followers of Christ need to smile more and not be afraid to laugh with gusto. With a more somber tone, Francis asked that we pray for him, and the church to become more like Jesus. His tone was gentle and his request sincere. Looking into our eyes, Francis concluded the meeting with words of blessing and encouragement.
It seems fitting that Pope Francis was called home to God in this Easter Season. He often spoke and wrote about hope as being rooted in the promise of God’s presence in our lives forever. I trust our Holy Father, as a new member of the communion of saints, is now experiencing the fulfilment of this hope and will intercede for us,.
This story will be updated throughout the day at springfieldop.org.
